Title: Wonderlands x Showtime
Characters: Rui, Tsukasa, Nene, Emu, Nenerobo
Proofreader: Mikans#6361
Part 1
Phoenix Wonderland
Wonder Stage
Rui
(Well then, since we’re done for the day, I guess it’s time to get going.)
(…… Hmm? This voice is……)
Nene
――♪
Nenerobo
……
Rui
(Is she practicing by having Nenerobo stand in for the audience?)
(Nene has already become capable of standing on stage on her own. However……)
(No matter if it’s during practices or performances, Nenerobo is always with her. …She probably has yet to overcome it.)
Nene
…… Phew
Thank you for listening to me.
Nenerobo
……
Nene
I… am able to stand on stage on my own now. But I think that’s only possible thanks to Nenerobo’s presence.
If you’re not by my side while I’m on stage, I feel a bit scared.
Rui
(I see. She still hasn’t……)
(Well then, I can’t just remain standing here and listening, can I?)
I understand now.
So that’s why you continue to bring it with you everywhere even though it has already fulfilled its role.
Nene
Wah!?
Y-you, scared me…… Didn’t you leave already?
Rui
Hehe, I apologise for seeming as if I was eavesdropping.
However…… I’m happy that you’re taking such good care of it.
Nene
………
Rui
Is it not true that Nenerobo fulfilled its main purpose?
If it’s needed again, then it won’t be retired just yet.
Nene
…… What do you mean by that?
Rui
I have a suggestion. Could you leave Nenerobo with me for a while?
Nene
Eh…… Don’t tell me you’re going to remodel it?
Rui
I wouldn’t exactly call it ‘remodelling’.
As a director, I was thinking of adding some features that you might want. It is one of our fellow members who help to make the stage fun and lively, after all.
Nene
Does that mean… Robo and I will be able to stand on stage and perform together?
Rui
So long as you wish for it, of course. Sounds good?
Nene
……Then I want you to make it happen.
Rui
If that’s the case, then you can count on me.
Now, could you tell me your idea of how you want to stand on stage with Nenerobo?
Nene
………
I want to try doing many things with it.
Apart from just operating Nenerobo myself, I also want to perform together with it on stage.
Rui
Hmm…… Then it would be better for it to be able to make decisions and move on its own to some extent.
I should also try inserting some artificial intelligence so that it can make simple conversations too.
In that case, I should also insert some software for facial and voice recognition…… No, before that, I will need to expand its control chip……
Ah, I’m going to be so busy!
Nene
…… You seem to be having fun.
Rui
I certainly am! As I think about it longer, even better ideas burst forth!
I will need to conduct many tests…… Hehehe……
Nene
…… Wouldn’t it start to get larger or transform, or something in the end?
Rui
That is the fun in being able to do such things.
Nene
If you add any weird features to it, I will get mad. Got it?
Rui
Hehe, I won’t add anything weird to it. What I will add are only for putting smiles on people’s faces!
Part 2
Phoenix Wonderland
Wonder Stage
Tsukasa
Oi, where’s Rui?
Even though he was the one who said “Please wait at the Stage for a moment” or something, he hasn’t even arrived yet!
Nene
…… Hasn’t it only been 3 minutes? Even dogs can wait longer before they start barking.
Tsukasa
What! Are you saying that I’m worse than dogs!?
Rui
Hey, sorry to keep all of you waiting.
Tsukasa
Hey! Why did you call us out here and then make us wait……
Huh, what’s that?
Emu
Oh wow! The red cloth ghosty is walking–!
Rui
Hehe, even Tsukasa's anger will dissipate in an instant once you take a look at this.
Nene
That is…… Does this mean that Nenerobo’s improvements are done?
Rui
Exactly. I wanted to introduce its changes personally to you guys, so how about it?
Emu
I wanna see, I wanna seeeee!! Show it to us already~!
Nene
…… Same.
Tsukasa
Hmph. Well, I suppose a look is fine at least.
Rui
Now then, I will need a drumroll from all who wish to see nenerobo-
Tsukasa
A-a drumroll?
Rui
I am presenting a new invention, after all. Therefore, a drumroll is needed for such an exciting occasion
Emu
Badum, badum, badum-dum-dum!1
Tsukasa
We have to verbally make the sounds!? Anyway, that’s not even the right sound effect for a drumroll, isn’t it!?
Good grief…… I will show you the stellar example of how it’s done! Are you guys paying attention? You do it like this! Drrrrrrrrrr! …… Don’t just stare at me, you guys need to do it too!
Emu
Right! Badum, badum– ♪
Nene
……Sigh. …… Dohdohdohdohdoh……
Rui
Now then, have a good look!
Nenerobo
………
Emu
Whoaaa!
Tsukasa
Ohh!? Wait. ……Hmm?
Nene
…… It looks the same as before.
Rui
Hehehe. It probably does look no different from before. However…… Nene, could you please stand in front of Robo.
Nene
…… Done.
Nenerobo
You worked hard today, Master.
Nene
……!
Tsukasa
I-it talked!?
Nenerobo
Master, here is a glass of grapefruit juice.
Nene
Not only was the juice poured from its arm, it’s also chilled……
Emu
Amaaaaaazing!
Rui
It’s all thanks to the artificial intelligence and facial recognition system I have installed. Of course, it can also recognise everyone here. If needed, I can also input data for frequent visitors to our shows.
Plus, it can also put up spectacular performances for kids who watch our shows.
Tsukasa
Spectacular performances?
Rui
Correct. Tsukasa, could you stand over there for a moment?
Tsukasa
Around here?
Rui
Yeah, that’s a good spot. Now, the rest of us, please stand back.
Tsukasa
Oi, why are all of you backing away!? Isn’t this just another dangerous act of yours!? Oi!
Rui
Nenerobo, FIRE!
Nenerobo
Firing rocket punch. …… FIRE!
Tsukasa
Eek! H-huh? It stopped right before it touched my face……?
Rui
As you can see, it was created such that it shouldn’t strike the target in most cases. However, since the rocket punch is dangerous, it was also designed to never strike if the target is a person.
Tsukasa
Hey! Wasn’t it just about to ram my head in a moment ago!?
Rui
This is a bad example to show that no matter what happens, you can’t fool around when creating gadgets such as these.
Thank you, Tsukasa. This is only possible because of your cooperation.
Tsukasa
R-really? Wait, you’re trying to trick me!
Rui
Anyway, let’s move on. There is actually a bonus feature to that.
Tsukasa
Oi, listen when others are speak-
Rui
Now, now. You have to enjoy the show till the end. Go ahead, Nenerobo!
*Fireworks SFX*
Emu
Ohhhhh! Nenerobo’s hand exploded!
Tsukasa
Woah, it’s a party popper! Wow, the confetti is going all the way to where the pigeons are flying!
This really is an entertaining performance! Kids who come to watch will definitely be delighted!
Rui
(Hehehe, even though he was angry just now, he’s still upfront with his feelings.)
Now, Nene. How was it? Was I able to live up to your expectations?
Nenerobo
How was my performance, Master?
Nene
……… Change the “Master” part… to “Nene”…
Rui
Hehe, modifications of that calibre are no problem.
Notes
- Emu’s making sounds like taiko drums here. (Don doko don doko doko dokon) (Return to text)